10 AUGUST 1918, Page 22

Who Wag Respon4ible for the War P By Tornmaso Tittoni.

(Paris: (Blond and Gay.)—This little volume of speeches and articles by Signor Tittoni, who was the Italian Foreign Minister from 1903 to 1909 and the Italian Ambassador in Paris from 1910 to 1916, eon- teAnS some highly instructive matter bearing on Austrian diplomacy before the war. He reminds us that in 1909 Germany by a virtual ultimatum compelled Russia to recognize the Austrian annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, but he points out that Italy, supported by Sir Edward Grey, refused to do the same until Austria had agreed to modify Article XXIX. of the Treaty of Berlin, relating to Montenegro. The German Ambassador in presenting the demand assumed a threatening tone, but the Austrian Ambassador, who came in, admitted at once that his Government ought to meet Signor Tittoni's views. Austria further agreed to accept the mediation of the Powers in regard to Serbia. Signor Tifton' thinks that Germany, having frightened Russia into yielding in 1909, hoped to play the trick a second time in 1914, and that Austria at any rate was dis- appointed when Russia preferred war to dishonour. Signor Tittoni tstatee also that in 1913 Austria desired to occupy Montenegro, but desisted in faoe of a strong Italian protest. The more we learn about Austrian diplomacy the more discreditable it appears.